title: Therapeutic strategy for treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the current practices for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) management and highlight the latest progress.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature review using HighWire Press (1960-May 2008) was conducted using the following key words: non-small cell lung cancer, chemotherapy, supportive care, therapeutic strategy, quality of life (QOL), and targeted therapies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review articles, clinical trials, and case reports, as well as the references of those articles, were reviewed. Statistical significance and number of patients included in the studies were some of the aspects that were considered seriously. Response rates, overall survival, and progression-free survival were the major data considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The therapeutic management of metastatic NSCLC has undergone a profound evolution over the past 10 years. The positive impact of chemotherapy on survival compared with supportive care alone has been demonstrated by several meta-analyses. The development of third-generation agents with better efficacy/toxicity ratios, such as vinorelbine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, gemcitabine, and pemetrexed, has led to improved therapeutic management of NSCLC, especially when tailored to patients' comorbidities and performance status. First-line platinum-based combinations remain the standard of care, with median survival 8 months and 1-year survival 35%, but no particular combination has yet shown superiority. First-line platinum regimens in combination with bevacizumab, a targeted inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor, have further improved NSCLC median survival. Moreover, second- and third-line treatments have evolved. The addition of small-molecule epidermal growth factor inhibitors and other targeted therapies has modified the pattern of NSCLC treatment. Specific management of the elderly and patients with poor performance status should be applied.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although there has been progress in the treatment of NSCLC, the gain in terms of clinical response and survival is still modest. Maintaining QOL and tailoring therapy for patients based on age, performance status, comorbidities, and toxicities, remain the first priority for clinicians.
authors.affiliation: Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France. malik.berhoune@egp.aphp.fr
authors.forename: Malik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berhoune
authors.forename: Eugeniu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Banu
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scotte
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prognon
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oudard
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bonan
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents